Machine for wiring bottles.



No. 642,206. Patented Jan. 30, I900.

R. M. & C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 28, 1899.)

(No Model.)

[2 Sheets-$heet fizz/e7 'Ms ROBERT M'CK/AMBERS. CHA LES EC/M/VBE/PS.

THE "cums vrrzns co, PHOTQ-LITNO. WASNmuTGI a c Patented Jan. 30, I900.

R. M. &. C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

[Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.)

I2 Shaets8heet 2.

(No Model.)

Z 76067615/6 ROBE/P7 /W, CHAMBERS Cl-l/I ra s E. can NEE/PS m: Norms PETERS co. PNOTO-LITHQ, wasumurou. n. c.

Patented Ian. 30, I900.

R. M. & C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.)

Patented Jan. 30, I900.

R. M. 8|. C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.)

I2 Sheets-Sheat 4-.

(H0 Madam.)

FIG. 2.

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F05 ERT M, CHA MBERS CH CHA mes/as THE NORRIS pzrsns co. wn'muma, wpummuw, n. c

No. 642.206. Patented Ian. 30, I900.

R. M. 8:, C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BDTTLES.

(Applica ion filed Oct. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 m Inward bra fio BERT M. CHA NEE/{ 8 CHA m gs E. 61m M8 5/? s 6 fif 1 w; NORRIS PETERS co, morauwo. wAsumm'um m c.

m. 542,206. Patented lab. 30, I900.

H. M. & C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.)

I2 Sheen-Shae! 6.

(J40 Model.)

FoeEfiT M CHA MBf/PS CHARLES E. CHAMBERS- m5 Norms Pawns co. PNOYD-UYNQ, wnsumswu, n, c

Pate nted Jan. 30, 1900". n. m. & c. E. CHAMBERS. I

MACHINE FQR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, i899.

(No Model.)

[fins/PR7 M CHA MBE/PS CA /Ines E. C'HA Mes/P3 No. 642,206. Patented Jan. 30, I900. R. M. 8|. C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.) (No Model.) I2 Sheets-Sheat 8,

Patented Jan. 30, I900.

R. M. 81, C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.)

No. 642,206. Patented Ian. 30, I900.

' R. M. & G. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23, 1899.) (.No Model.) l2 Sha ets-$heet m.

F/HZO.

ERS 6 #7791? a B 6 M M M I m M M n ..;r.... o, a 2 CC w a 8 E Z .u a H a R E m I E m 5 B M m 0 M o 0 a B m J. 5 g w 2 J 0 I! m m z 4 n. w n 7 -i a M m Z w A 1 i 2 m M 0 TIM W M 4 W WM .IVI

Patented Ian. 30, I900. R. M. & C. E. CHAMBERS. MACHINE FUR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 28, 1899.)

(No Model.) i2 Sheets-Sheet u.

WZZ/L Ewart/Z571! J6 ROBERT CHAMBERS CH E CHA Masks "m: Norms Farms co, wum-umq, wnsnmamm u. c

No. 642,266. I Patented Jan. 30, I900. B. M. & C. E. CHAMBERS.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

(Application filed Oct. 23 1899.)

(No Model.) l2 Sheets-Sheet I2.

I I I I I I I I I ROBERT M 14 MBE/FS HAM E6 1?. HAMBERS m: mums rams co. PMomLrma. wAsmNGTom 9.0

STATES FFICE.

ROBERT MARTIN CHAMBERS AND CHARLES EDWARD CHAMBERS, OF BELFAST, IRELAND.

MACHINE FOR WIRING BOTTLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,206, dated January 30, 1900.

Application filed. October 23, 1899. $e1'ial No. 734,4;96. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we,RoBER'r MARTIN CHAM- BERs and CHARLES EDWARD CHAMBERS, engineers, subjects of the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Cuba street, Belfast, county Antrim, Ireland,l1ave invented certain new and usefullmprovements in and Relating to Machines for Wiring Bottles, (for which we have made applications for Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 6,369, dated March 24,1899, and No. 13AM dated June 26, 1899,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for wiring the corks of bottles, and is more especially applicable to a machine such as that which is the subject matter of Letters Patent No. 632,174, previously granted to us.

The object of the invention is to rendersuch machines more automatic and effieient in operation and capable of consecutively receivingbottles of varying shape and size without the necessity of adjustment or regulation of any part of the machine.

The invention consists of a machine, such as hereinafter described, comprising starting mechanism, mechanism for raising the bottle to a suitable position for wiring and for delivering the same after wiring, mechanism for compressing the cork immediately the machine is started, capsuling mechanism, wireoperating mechanism comprising means for feeding, tightening, twisting, looping, and cutting the wire, and other mechanism and novel features of construction hereinafter described as applied thereto.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures 1 and l are partial front elevations, Figs. 2 and 2 partial side elevations, and Fig. 3 a plan, of a complete machine constructed according to the invention. Figs. 1 to 23 illustrate in detail the diilerent devices or mechanisms which together constitute the complete machine. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively seetional elevation and sectional plan of the starting mechanism. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively front and end sectional elevations of the wiretension gear. Figs. 8 and 8 are plans of the bottle'delivery gear. Fig. 9-is a rear sectional elevation of part of the machine, illustrating the wire looping and twisting gear and also the means employed for compressing the cork, the means for bending the wire against the bottle after it has been twisted and cut oil", and the means of adjusting the twistingspindle, wire-cutter, and looping-spindle to varying sizes of bottle-necks. Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional elevations on the line 8 s, Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a detail elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 0. Figs. 13, 14, and 15 illustrate in section the mechanism employed for guiding some of the wires onto the bottle-neck. Figs. 16 to 21 illustrate in detail an alternative device for raising the bottle to the position for wiring. Figs. 16 and 17 are respectively a sectional side elevation and front elevation of the device shown sepa rately, while Fig. 18 is a sectional elevation of the device shown applied to the machine. Figs. 19 and 20 are sectional plans on the lines a a, b b, Fig. 16, respectively. Fig. 21 is a detail sectional plan on line 0 c, Fig. 18. Figs. 22 and 23 are respectively an elevation and plan of the wire-cutting gear. Fig. 24 shows the developed plans of the several cams hereinafter referred to.

In the drawings similar parts are indicated by similar reference letters or numerals.

The main driving-shaft 12 of the machine is mounted in bearings 1 2 3 and transmits motion to the cam-shaft .e, mounted in bearings 4 5 6, through spur-gearing 7 8, the cam-shaft preferablybeing arranged to make one revolution to five of the driving-shaft.

Upon the cam-shaft z are mounted a cam a, operating means for stopping the machine, a double cam b for actuating the tensiongear, a cam c, controlling the twisting-gear, a cam d for actuating the bottle-delivery mechanism, a cam e for operating means for drawing aside the two lower wires for the purpose hereinafter described, a cam f for raising and lowering the presser or capsule lifter, a cam g for moving the bending-down levers, a cam h for actuating the capsule-carrier, a double cam j for operating the looping mechanism, and a cam 7c for operating the bottle-lifting gear.

The mechanism for starting the machine is illustrated in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. The

driving-pulley 1O revolves freely on a sleeve 27 when the machine is at rest; but when it is desired to start the machine a key 1] mounted in an extension of the sleeve 27 and sliding under the action of a spring 26, is allowed to engage with one of a series of radial slots in the face of the pulley 10, which is thereby keyed to the driving-shaft, and the machine is started. and it is Withdrawn from engagement with the pulley 10 by means of a wedge 12, en gaging within the slot. The wedge 12 is carried upon one end of a lever 13, mounted upon a pivot 17 and connected by a pin 10 and rod 14 to one end 19 of a lever 18, mounted upon a pivot 20. The wedge 12 is withheld from engagement with the key 11 by a spring 15; but it is caused to engage and withdraw the said key at the end of each wiring operation, when the cam a, mounted upon the shaft 2, makes contact with the end 21 of the lever 18. In order that the wedge 12 shall be held in engagement with the key until it is again required to start the machine, a latch or catchbar 22 is adapted to engage with the opposite end of the lever 13. This latch may, if desired, be operated by a bottle when placed in the delivery-jaws, hereinafter referred to; but it is preferably connected by a bell-crank lever 24 to a push-rod 25. The push-rod is provided with a spring 23, which tends to hold the latch 22 in contact with the end of the lever 13.

When it is desired to start the machine, the push-rod 25 is thrust inwardly, whereupon the latch 22 is withdrawn from the end of the lever 13, which latter under the action of the spring 15 oscillates about its pivot 17 and moves the wedge 12 away from the key 11, which is immediately shot into engagement with the driving-pulley 10, and motion is thereby transmitted to the driving-shaft 11 When the machine is started, the bottle tobe wired, which has previously been placed in the machine, is raised up to a suitable position for wiring according to one modification, as follows: The bottle is placed within a pair of gripping -levers, hereinafter described, and is thereby held suspended above a support or pan 100, mounted upon a rackbar 101, gearing with a pinion 102, keyed upon the same shaft 103 as a ratchet-wheel 104. The shaft 103 is carried in bearings in a bracket 105, in which the rack-bar 101 is free to slide in guides 106. A pawl 107, mounted upon the bracket 105, is held in engagement with the ratchet-wheel by a springbutton 110. The pawl is disengaged from the ratchet-wheel at the desired moment by a lever 108, forming an extension of the pawl 107, coming in contact With a cam-plate 109, secured to the machine-framework. When the ratchet-wheel is released by the pawl 107,

the bottle-support 100 is free to move relatively to the bracket 105; but when the ratchetwheel is held by the pawl the support 100 is also held fixed relatively to the bracket. In

order that the bottle-support 100 shall rise with the bracket 105, a friction-washer 111,

The key 11 is slotted,-

Fig. 2, is placed between the boss on the wheel 104 and that on the bracket 105, the pressure on said washer being regulated by a nut 114,

so that there is sufficient friction to support the rack 111, with its support 100, but to allow of a certain amount of slip should aconsiderable pressure he applied to the said support. The bracket 105 is moved vertically on guides 112 by a cam 70, operating through levers 115 and toggle-links 117,0ne pair of which is connected at 118 to the bracket.

The operation of the bottle lifting gear above described is as follows: A bottle is placed within a pair of gripping-levers 130 131, hereinafter described in reference to Fig. 8, and is thereby held suspended above the holder 100. The capsule lifter or plunger 150 is then brought down by its cam f, as afterward described in detail, onto the cork, so as to compress it and prevent it being ejected by the gas-pressure in the bottle. The lifting-bracket 105 next starts to rise and carries with it the holder 100 until the latter reaches the bottle, when the resulting pressure temporarily arrests the further upward movement of the holder, the rack 101 revolving the pinion 102 and Wheel 104 until the lever 108 leaves the cam-plate 109 and the pawl 107 engages the wheel 104 and locks the holder 100 to the lifting-bracket. At this instant the cam f, which operates the plunger or capsulelifter 150, allows the latter to ascend equally with the lifting-bracket, and the holder 100 being locked to the bracket the bottle is raised through a certain definite distance above the top of the gripping-levers 130 131 to a position at which the bottom wires will just fall under the collar 011 the bottle-neck, the gripping-levers opening to allow the bottle to pass between them. When in the lastmentioned position, the bottle is wired. The bracket 105 then descends and carries with it the holder 100 until the lever 108 comes in contact with the cam-plate 109 and the bottom end of the rack-bar 101 comes in contact with a stop 113, whereupon the said bar revolves the pinion 102 and wheel 104 until the bracket reaches its lowest position. The relative movements of the lifting-bracket are indicated by the developed plan of the operating-cam 7c in Fig. 24. As the cam rotates the part 630 first operates the lever 115 and the bracket 105 starts to rise, at 631 the bottle starts to rise, at 632 the bottle arrives at its highest position, at 633 the bottle begins to descend, at 634 the bottle is caught by the delivery-arms, and at 635 the lifting-bracket has descended to its lowest position. An alternative means for securing a self-adjustment between the bottle-support 100 and the lifting-bracket 105 is illustrated in Figs. 10 to 21.

The bottle-support 100 is carried by a rod 120, to the other end of which is attached a piston 121, packed with a leather 123 and working in a cylinder 122. The cylinder 122 communicates at its lower end by a valve 124 with a surrounding jacket or casing 128,which is secured to or cast in one with the liftingbracket 105. The cylinder 122 and chamber 128 contain oil or other suitable liquid, and when the valve 124 is open the piston 121 is free to slide up or down, the liquid accordingly flowing in or out of the cylinder; but when the valve is closed the piston is prevented from moving downwardly relatively to the lifting-bracket, but moves as one piece therewith, the said bracket being operated as in the modification previously described. The valve 12% is opened toward the end of the downward stroke of the lifting-bracket by a cam-plate 109 through levers 127 and 125, which are returned by springs to their nor mal position and allow the valve to shut as the lifting-bracket is raised and the roller on the end of the lever 127 leaves the camplate 109.

The top end of the cylinder 122 is perforated or slotted, as at 222, to allow any air to escape which may collect below the piston, the latter passing above the slots at the termination of each downward stroke of the bracket 105.

To serve as a packing for the piston-rod and to insure that it shall not fall relatively to the lifting-bracket when the valve 124 is open except when considerable pressure is applied, a gland is provided, the friction of which is sufficient to prevent the rod sliding downwardly until the lever 127 leaves the cam-plate 109 and the valve 124 closes.

The pistonrod is withdrawn from the cylinder 122 by a crutch 220, which arrest-s the holder 100 as it descends with the lifting bracket. The crutch is loosely supported in grooves 221 in the frame of the machine, and it is arranged at such a height that the piston-rod is withdrawn a sufficient distance to suit the shortest of the bottles to be Wired.

After the bottle has been wired it is removed from the holder 100 and delivered into a chute or receptacle by mechanism, such as clearly shown in detail in Figs. 8 and 8.

A bracket 132, pivoted at to the machine-frame, carries on one extremity two levers 130 131, which pivot on pins 133 13-1 and are geared together, as shown at 138, in order that they shall have equal angular movement. The levers are formed with four inclined faces 139, two on each lever, in order that they may hold the bottles centrally below the compressor 1 50, hereinafter described, even should the size of the necks vary. They are forced together by a spring 143, acting through a pivoted lcvcr 14-1, and their outer ends 11-2 are beveled, as shown, to allow a bottle to be readily slipped into position to be gripped by the faces 139. The lever 131 is provided with a pin or roller 140, with which a cam-plate 1&1 on the bottle-lifting bracket comes in contact and opens the levers 130 131, as shown in Fig. 8, to allow the bottle to pass up between them as it is being raised to the wiring position. After the bottle is wired lar and hold the bottle suspended.

and starts to descend the cam-plate releases the roller in time to allow the levers 130 131 to grip the bottle-neck just below the col- The bracket 132 is then oscillated on its pivot 135 by the cam cl'through the levers 136 and link 137 until the beveled end 142 of the lever 130 comes in contact with a roller 14:5, mounted on a bracket 1 16, Figs. 1 and 3, when the 1evers 130 131 are there by forced apart and drop the bottle into a chute 147. The bracket 132 is then returned to its normal position ready to receive another bottle. The developed plan of the cam 61 is shown in Fig. 32, the part 609 indicating the part by which the bracket 132 is moved fully out to deliver a bottle and the part 610 at which the bracket has been moved fully in again to receive another bottle.

The mechanism for applying a capsule to a bottle-cork and for compressing the latter within the bottle is illustrated in detail in Fig. 9 and in position in Figs. 2 and 3.

The capsules are supplied to a tray 160, Figs. 2 and 3, either by hand or automatic ally, as described in the specification to the Letters Patent before referred to. The tray is carried by an arm 160, pivoted at 161 to the machine-frame, and is brought centrally under a plunger at the correct time by a cam h, acting through a lever 162 and connecting-rod 163, Fig.2. The respective parts of the cam h which operate the tray and bring it fully out and fully in below the capsulelifter are indicated by 622 and 623 in the developed plan, Fig. 2%. The plunger 150 is caused to descend and secure the capsule from the tray upon pins 159. It is actuated from a cam f by levers 151, which carry on their eX- tremities a roller 152, held in contact with the cam f by a spring 153 through a bell-crank lever 15%. (See Fig. 2.) The levers 151 are not connected directly to the plunger 150, but act through links 155 on a cross-head 156, which slides freely on the rod 157,to which the plunger is attached. A buffer-spring 158 is inserted between the plunger and cross-head, held in compression by a collar 258, firmly attached to the rod 157. This elastic connection allows of variation in the size of corks or the collars or necks of the bottles. The plunger is slotted at its extremity to enable it to pass over the two top wires when it is depressed by the cam fto secure a capsule, as above described. After it secures a capsule upon the pins 159 on its extremity it rises and the capsule-tray 160 is removed toits outward position, (see Fig. 3,) whereupon the machine stops, ready for a bottle to be placed in the grippinglevers 130 131. When the bottle is placed therein and the machine started, the plunger 150, carrying a capsule on its face, descends onto the cork and compresses the latter. The bottle is then raised into the wiring position by the lifting-bracket, as before described, the plunger 150 being allowed by the cam f to ascend equally with the bracket.

After the bottle is Wired and the liftingbracket starts to descend the capsule-lifter follows the bracket for a short distance, butis soon raised up again until it reaches its highest position and does not descend again until it is required to secure a capsule.

The relative movements of the capsulelifter correspond with the several parts of the camf. (Indicated in Fig. 24.) At 614 the capsule-lifter descends onto the bottle-cork, at 615 it ascends, but maintains a pressure on the cork, at 616 it rises farther to allow the looping and side hooks to pass below it, at 617 it descends to secure a capsule, and at 618 it ascends a little to allow the carrier to move out.

The wires employed for tying the corks are led from reelso through guides s, as in the ma chine described in the specification to Letters Patent No. 632,174.

In the present invention a tension is applied to the wires, as required by the mechanism illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and 7 and shown in position in Figs. 1 and 3. The wires "w are passed through a casing 441 attached to the machine-frame. Inside the casing are arranged four boxes 40, hereinafter referred to as' tension-boxes, capable of sliding upon guide-rods 41. Each tensionbox is provided with a grippinglever 42, which pivots upon apin 442, and is formed with a projecting face 43, adapted to engage with an opposing face 44 on the tension-box. The wires pass between the several faces 43 44 and are gripped between them whenever the levers 42 are moved about the pins 442 toward the wires by the springs 45. The levers 42 are moved outwardly, so as to release the wires by bars 47 engaging with pins 46 on said levers. The bars are connected by equal and parallel rocking levers 48 481, so

that they always remain parallel to each other when moved by the rocking lever 481, which receives its motion from the cam 6 through a lever 54, one end of which is connected by a link 541 to a small lever or crank 55 on the end of the spindle 482, upon which the lever 481 is mounted. The bars are shown in their extreme outward position in Fig. 6, the gripping-levers 42 having released the wires 10, which can pass freely between the gripping-faces 43 and 44. The bars are indicated in their extreme inward position by dotted lines in Fig. 6 and in full lines in Fig. 1, in which position the springs 45 act upon the levers 42 and cause them to grip the wires between the faces 43 44.

When it is desired to apply a tension to the wires, the tension-boxes 40, with their gripping-levers 42 open, are advanced against springs 49 by a sliding piece 50,'which is moved along the guide-rods 41 by the cam 12 through a lever 51 and link 52. The wires are then gripped by the gripping-levers 42 and the sliding piece 50 moved back to its normal position, whereupon the springs 49 exert a pressure against the tension-boxes 40,

and thereby apply sufficient tension to the wires to take up any slackness therein. When the tension upon the wires is no longer required, the gripping-levers 42 release them, and the springs 49 thereupon force the tension-boxes back against the sliding piece 50. The levers 54 and 51 are kept in contact with the cam Z) by springs 53 and 56. The cam b is so designed, as shown in Fig. 24, as to actuate the levers 51 54 in their proper order as required. The respective parts of the cam 12 corresponding to the periods at which tension is applied to or removed from the wires are indicated in Fig. 24 as follows: At 602 the tension is off the wires to allow the bottle to rise and carry the top wires with it, at 603 ten sion is applied to draw the wires tightly about the bottle-neck while twisting, at 604 tension is again removed from the Wires to allow them to be drawn across the wiring-space of the machine, and at 605 tension is again applied to strain the top wires to allow the capsulelifter to pass freely through them. The Wires after passing through the tension-gear above described are led through the twisting-gear. (Shown in sectional elevation in Fig. 9 and in position in Figs. 1 and 3.)

The wires are passed through holes 33 in a spindle 31, and thence through an end piece or face-plate 30, which is supported by pins 301, capable of sliding against springs 32 in recesses in the spindle 31. The object of the movable end piece or face-plate 30 is to allow the twisting to be commenced closer to the bottle-neck than is possible when the end of the twisting-spindle is solid, as in the machine described in the specification to the Letters Patent No. 632,174 before referred to. The twisting-spindle is rotated at the correct time by spur-gearing 311 312 from the driving-shaft y, controlled by a clutch 313, operated from a cam c, and the spindle is also returned or rotated in the reverse direction by a spiral spring 314 similarly to the twistingspindle described in the specification above mentioned. The springs 32 remove undue strain from the back twist 29, so that when the spindle 31 is rotated by the spring 314 there are no sharp bends in the wires, thus allowing them to pass more easily through the holes 33 when drawn out by the looping-hooks, as afterward described.

The looping-hooks 89, whose function is to advance across to the twisting-spindle, secure the wire, draw the same back, and then to form a loop in the wire when it is twisted by the twisting-spindle, are of the same construction as those described in the specification before referred to; but in the present invention instead of the loopinghooks being revolved twice before stopping the segment which revolves the hooks is divided into two parts and 61. The part 60 revolves the hooks at the same time that the twisting-spindle revolves, but the part 61 does not engage the pinion 62 upon the looping-spindle 621 until the wire is twisted and out off at the twisting-spindle, when the second revolution of the looping-hooks takes up all slackness in the wire and draws it tightly around the bottle-neck. The looping-hooks are advanced across to the twisting-spindle to secure the wire by the part 628 of the camj, Fig. 2t, and are drawn back by the part 629.

Just after the looping-hooks have drawn the wire across the wiring-space of the machine the lower wires are drawn aside to allow the neck of a rising bottle to pass between them, after which the said wires are released and spring tightly against the bottle-neck. The mechanism for performing this function is illustrated in Figs. 2, 13, 14, and 15, and it is simpler and more definite in action than the mechanism employed for the same purpose described in the specification before referred to.

Two hooks 170and 190 are pivoted 011 pins 171 and 191 to two bars 172 and 192, respectively. The bar 172 slides in a guide 181, and the bar 192 is fixed to the end of a lever 202, and each bar is provided with a forked extremity219. The hook 17 Ois also attached by a pin 174 to a rod 173, which is provided with catches 175 176 and two V-grooves 177 178, and the hook 1901s similarly attached to a rod 193 bya pin 194:, the rod 193 being pro vided with catches 195 and 196 and with V- grooves 197 and 198. Two pointed pins 179 and 199, sliding under the action of springs 160 and 200 in recesses within the bar172 and lever 202, respectively, are adapted to engage either of the respective grooves 177 197 and 178 198. The lever 202 is formed integral with another lever 20% and both are secured to a rock-shaft 206. The lever 204 is connected by a rod 208 to a rocking lever 212. This lever is pivoted at 210 to a bracket 214, attached to the machine-frame, and carries at the extremity of one arm a roller 21], which is kept in contact with a cam e by a spring 213 acting upon the other arm of the said lever. The extremity 189 of this arm is connected by a link 188 to a lever 182. One end, 183, of the lever 182 is loosely jointed to the bar 172, while its other end, 186, is connected by a link 185 to abracket 187, secured to the machine-frame.

The operation of the above-described mechanism is as follows: The mechanism being in the position shown in 13, when the bottle is wired the cam e revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow until the part 215 (see Fig. 21 also) reaches the roller 211, when the lever 212 moves on its pivot 210 and the bars 172 and 192 are both thrust toward the wires, each engaging a wire held within its fork end 219. The rods 173 and 193 are also carried inward by their respective bars 172 192 until the projections or catches 195 175 engage with the stops 201 and 275, whereupon the bars 172 192, still continuing to move the hooks 170 190, are pivoted about their pins 171 191, and each engage or inclose a bottom wire within their respective forks 219, as shown in Fig. 14. \Vhen the rods 173 193 are in this position, the pins 179 199 cugage with their respective grooves 177 197, and the bottom Wires are thereby locked within the hooks 170 190, which are next caused to recede and draw the wires aside by the cam e continuing to revolve and bringing its inclined part 216, Figs. 13 and 24:, in contact with the roller 211. The part 216 of the cam is not so long as the part 215, and therefore the bars 172 192 are not drawn completely back, but only so far as to cause the catches 176 196 to come up to the stops 276 201, (see Fig. 15,) the hooks still retaining their hold upon the wires until the part 218 of the cam 6 comes in contact with the roller 211, when the bars 172 192 are drawn stillfarther back, and the catches 176 and 196 come in contact with the stops 276 201, and the hooks are moved about their-pivots 171 191 and release the wires and allow them to spring aboutthe neck of the bottle, which has passed up between them while they were drawn aside. This last movement of the bars 172 192 causes the pins 179 199 to leave the slots 177 197 and engage with the slots 178 and 198, respectively, thus securing the hooks 170 190 open, ready to advance again as required.

The mechanism for cutting the wire after it has been twisted is illustrated in detail in Figs. 22 and A cam-slot 360 is formed in the face of the spur-wheel 311, which operates the twistinggear hereinbefore referred to. A roller 363, carried by one end of a bell-crank lever 350, works in the cam-slot. The lever 350 pivots on a spindle and is connected by a bar 351 to another bell-crank lever 35, which also pivots freely on the spindle 353, but is also free to slide thereon against a spring 36. One arm of the lever 35 is forked, as shown in Fig. 23, and carries between the fork a lever 352, which when engaged bya cam-roller 361 actuates a cuttingbar 355, sliding in hearings on the under side of the lever 35, hereinafter referred to as the cutting-arm.

The object of the cam-slot 360 is to operate the cutting-arm 35 in such a manner that it is brought down at the proper moment on top of the wires, which are afterward out by the cutter 355 when operated by the cam-roller 361,engaging the lever 352. The cutting-arm 35 is held up against the bending-down lever 78 (hereinafter referred to) by the spring 36, so that whatever the size of the bottle-neck the wire is always out at a regulated distance from the same. The cutting-arm is also provided with a wedge-shaped extremity 38,which engages with the plate 30 of the twistingspindle, so as to insure that a certain length of wire required to form part of the next loop will be left projecting from the twisting-spindle after the wires are out.

A stop 362 is provided upon the back of the wheel 311, which engages with a fixed stop 362, Fig. 23, on the machine-framework when the wheel is returned to its normal position by the-spring, as before described with reference to Fig. 9.

After the wire has been twisted and cut off the projecting ends are bent down close to the bottle-neck. The mechanism for performing this function is illustrated in detail in Figs. 9 to 12.

Two levers 77 78, hereinafter referred to as the bending-down levers, are pivoted on pins 79 to a bush 80, sliding on the cylindrical guide or tube 81, in which works the cap sule-lifter 150 hereinbefore referred to. The levers are connected by a joint 86 to insure an equal movement from or toward the center line of the tube 81. The bush 80 is caused to slide up and down as required bya cam g, which acts upon a lever 82 on one end of a rock-shaft 83, upon the other end of which is a lever 84, connected by a link 85 to the bush.

The friction-roller on the end of the lever 82' is kept in close contact with the cam g by a spring 831. The arm 77 is formed with a projection or cam -surface 76, in contact with which is a roller 74, carried on the end of one arm of a lever 73, pivoting on a pin 701. The end 75 of the other and longer arm of the lever 73 is jointed to a rod 72 in such a manner that the rod is free to rotate. The rod 72 carries at one end a cam-plate 681, formed with two projections 67 68, which are respectively caused to come in contact, as afterward described,witl1 two stops 66 and 69, the former of which is formed on the link 65, connecting the lever 87 and looping-spindle 621, and the latter on a bracket 70, fixed to the machinefranie. Just previous to the twisting operationit is desirable that the looping-spindle shall be free to move independent of its actuating-cam j, so that its distance from the bottle-neck may be regulated automatically whatever the size of the bottle. It is therefore set free at the required time and advances under the pull of the wires as the twisting commences. This movement of the spindle is regulated by the stop 66 and projection 67 on the cam-plate 68l,the movement of which is in turn regulated by the movement of the lever 77 through the'mechanism above described. The levers 77 and 73 of this mechanism are so proportioned that any movement of the point of the lever 77 from or toward the center line of the bottle is accompanied by an equal movement of the rod 72.

In order that the looping-spindle may be left free to slide, as before described, the cam j iscut away at one portion of its circumference, as indicated at 625, Fig. 24, whereby the ends of the levers 87 and 88, Fig. 3, are quite free. To again engage the levers and open the looping-hooks at whatever position they may then occupy, a wedge-shaped piece 90, Figs. 3 and 24, is provided, sliding in a guide 91 on the cam in a direction parallel to the axis of the shaft 2. A roller 92 is attached to the wedge-shaped piece, which engages for a portion of each revolution with a cam-plate 93, attached to the frame of the machine. At the end of the twistingoperation the wedgepiece comes in between the rollers on the ends of the levers 87 88, and as it is free on the cam 3 it adjusts itself and forces them apart, and thus opens the looping-hooks 89, Fig. 9, without altering their position. The roller 92 then engages the cam-plate 93, the wedge-shaped piece 90 being thereby moved, and the looping-hooks are drawn back open, while the rollers of the levers 87 88 are traveling on the straight portion of the wedgeshapcd piece 90, which is brought into line with the fixed portion 627, Fig. 24, of the cam t'.

The objects of the bending-down levers and mechanism connected therewith, just described, are, first, to provide means for gaging the size of the bottle-head and accordingly regulating the distance of the looping-hooks therefrom previous to the twisting operation, and, second, to provide means for bending down the projecting ends of wire after the cutting operation.

The operation of this mechanism is as follows: The wires having been drawn across the wiring-space by the looping-hooks and the lower wires drawn aside by the side hooks, as previously described, the bending-down levers 77 78 descend onto the top wires, this movement corresponding to the part 621 of the cam g, Fig. 24. A bottle is then raised by the lifting-gear, and its head passes between the lower wires, reaches the top wires, and is then forced up between the bendingdown levers, which open out to the required amount as the headof the bottle is forced up between them. The bottle having reached the wiring position, the side hooks release the lower wires, which spring about the bottleneck. The bending-down levers are held close up against the bottle-head by the cutting-arm 35, before referred to, and they therefore caliper or gage the size of the head. The distance the point of the lever 77 is moved in a direction away from the center line of the bottle, depending upon the size of the bottlehead, determines the movement of the rod 72 and therefore the position of the projection 67 and the stop 66, engaging therewith, which determines the movement andposition of the looping-spindle previous to the twisting operation. It will therefore be understood that the distance of the looping-hooks from the bottleneck previous to the twisting operation will always be the same whatever the size of the bottle-head. The cutting-01f lever and end 30 of the twisting-spindle are similarly gaged by the bending-down levers 78. After the wire has been twisted and cut off the bending-down levers 77 78 are forced down by the cam 9 onto the projecting ends of the wire, so as to press them close against the bottle-neck, this movement corresponding to the part 619, Fig. 24. They are then raised up to the positions shown in Fig. 12, this movement corresponding to the part 620, Fig. 24, the cam-surface 76 on the lever 77 leaving the roller 74, so that the lever 73 is free to move forward a short distance. lVhenthelooping-hooksnextmove across to catch a fresh supply of wire from the end of the twisting-spindle, the rod "2 moves with them until the projection 63 on the cam-plate attached to it engages with the stop-pin 69, when the inclined form of the projection causes the cam-plate to tilt, as shown in Fig. 11, and allow the pin 60 to pass the projection 67. \Vhen the looping-hooks are returned with the wire and the stop-pin 66 passes the projection 67, the cam-plate is returned to its normal position by a spring 71. (Shown more clearly in Figs. and 1l,which are sections on the line .9 s, Fig. 9.)

The different parts of the machine having been described in detail, the general operation of the complete machine may be described as follows: It is assumed that the machine is at rest and that a bottle has just been wired and delivered. The machine will then be ready to receive another bottle and several of the mechanisms will already have performed a part of their functionsnamely, the looping-hooks will have secured the wire projecting from the end of the twisting-spindle and drawn it across the gap of the machine, the side hooks (hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 13) will have drawn aside the two lower wires, and the capsulelifter 150 will have secured a capsule from the container 160, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 3 and 0. Another bottle is then placed with its neck within the jaws 130 131, and the push-rod is thrust inward, so as to withdraw the latch 22 from the end of the lever 13, which lever is immediately acted upon by the spring 15 and releases the key 1.1, and the pulley 10 is thereby keyed to the driving-shaft g] and the machine started, as hereinbefore described in detail with reference to Figs. 4c and 5. As soon as the machine is started motion is transmitted from the driving-shaft y to the camshaft s by the spungearing 7 8, and the different mechanisms are set in mot-ion and perform their different functions in their proper order, as hereinafter described, The first to be affected is the capsuling-gear. The cam f, through the levers 151, forces the capsule-lifter 150, with a capsule on its extremity, down onto the cork of the bottle, which latter is suspended by its collar within the gripping-levers 130 131. The cork is thereby thoroughly pressed down and prevented from shooting or being forced out before it is wired. The cam 7.; next raises the lifting-bracket 105 through the levers 115 and toggle-links 117. The bracket continues to rise until the table or support 100 touches the bottom of the bottle, when the further movement of the support is prevented owing to the weight of the bottle combined with the pressure of the buffersprings 158 of the capsule-lifter 1.50. The lifting-bracket 105, however, continues to rise, the adjustment between the support 100 and bracket 105 allowing it to do so, as hereinbefore fully described with reference to Fig. 1, wherein a rack-andpinion adjustment is shown, or with reference to Figs. 18 to 21, which illustrates a hydraulic adjustment. When either the rack 101 is locked by the pawl and ratchet-wheel 107 104: or the pistonrod 120 is prevented from descending by the valve 12a being closed, as hereinbefore described, the table 100 and the bracket rise together, the cam f allowing the capsule-lifter 150 to rise at the same rate as the liftingbracket, but still maintaining a compression of the springs 158. The gripping-levers 130 131 are opened just at this period to allow the bottle to pass upward by the cam-plate 141, carried by the lifting-bracket 105, engaging with the pin 140 on the lever 131, as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 8. The two top wires are carried over the cork as itrises and are held closely against the cork and collar by the bending-down levers 77 78, as shown in Fig. 9, which shows the bottle in its highest position. \Vhen the bot tle reaches this position, tension is applied to the wires, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, to draw up any slackness in the wires. At this instant the side hooks 170 190 are caused to release the lower wires, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 13, 14:, and 15, the said wires being drawn by the tension-gear close against the bottle-neck just below the collar. At this instant also the levers working the looping spindle and hooks are temporarily disengaged from their operating-cam j, so that the looping-hooksare free to move forward under the pull of the tension-gear until the pin 66, Fig. 9, engages with the stop 67 on the camplate 681, Whose posit-ion is regulated by the bending-down lever 77 through the roller 74 and lever 73, the arms 77 78 being pressed against the bottle-neck one on each side, so that the position of the looping-hooks is regulated according to the size of the bottleneck, as hereinbefore fully described. The part indicated in Fig. 21 by 607 of the cam 0 next throws the clutch 313 into gear with the wheel 311, which through the pinion 312 revolves the twisting-spindle 31. At the same time the segment 00 engages the pinion 62 and revolves the looping-spindle through one revolution. The wheel 311 continues to rotate and the cam-slot 360 therein brings down the cutting-arm .35, which is held tightly against the bending-down arm 78 by the spring 30, the wedge-piece 38 at the same time forcing back the face-plate of the twisting-spindle (if it has not been drawn back sufliciently'under the action of the twisted wire) to insure that a sufficient portion of the twisted wire shall be left on the spindle when the wire is cut oil by the cutter 355, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 22 and After the wire is cut the cam c disengages the clutch 313, whereupon the spiral spring 314 rotates the twisting-spindle 621 backwardly, as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 9 and IIO as also described in the specification before referred to. Immediately the wire is out the segment 61 engages the pinion 62, which occupies the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and imparts another twist to the wire inside the loop and takes up any slackness that may still remain in the wire tying. The levers 87 and 88 are next engaged by the wedge-shaped piece 90 on the cam j, which opens the hooks 89 and releases the wire. The roller 92 then engages the cam -plate 93 on the machineframe and the hooks 89 are drawn back, the levers 87 and 88 being at the same time brought into action again with the cam j, as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3. The bending-down levers 77 78 are then brought down by the cam 9, so as to bend the loop and projecting ends of wire close down against the bottle-neck. They are next drawn up again to their full height, which brings the cam-surface 76 on the lever 77 out of contact with the roller 74 of the lever 73 and leaves the roller to move forward when required, as afterward described. The lifting-bracket now starts to descend and is followed for a short distance by the presser 150, which, however, soon moves upward to its highest position. As the lifting-bracket continues to descend the gripping-levers 130 131 are released from the cam-plate 141 and close on the neck of the bottle and grip it just beneath the collar, when the bracket 132 is revolved upon its pivot 135 and carries the bottle over the chute 147, when the. face 142 of the lever 130 engages the roller 145 on the bracket 146, which opens the levers and allows the bottle to drop. The bracket 132 is then moved back again into its normal position and its jaws close ready to receive another bottle, all as hereinbefore described with especial reference to Figs. 8 and 8 The lifting-bracket 105 continues to descend and the end of the rack 101 engages with the stop 113, which prevents it descending farther; but the wheel 104 being free to revolve the bracket is also free to descend into its extreme lower position. In the case Where the hydraulic adjustment is used the downward travel of the table or support 100 is limited by the stops 220, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 20 and 21. While the liftingbracket is descending the loopinghooks 89 are moved by the cam j toward the face-plate 30 on the twisting-spindle. The cam-plate 68 is also moved forward, it now being free to do so, as before explained. The hooks 89 travel forward and secure the wire and draw back with it across the part of the machine where the bottle is wired. The side hooks 170 190 are next moved in under the action of the cam 19 to secure and draw aside the lower wires, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 13, 14, and 15. Si-

multaneously with this the capsule-carrying tray 160, in which a capsule is placed, is moved in and the capsule-lifter 150 is forced down by the part 164 on the cam 6, so as to secure a capsule upon its pins 159, whereupon it is immediately drawn up again a short distance to allow the tray to move out. The cam a then engages the lever 18 and forces the wedge-shaped end 12 of the lever 13 against the bush' 27, where it is held by the latch 22, and as the pulley 1O revolves the wedge engages the key and withdraws it from the slot 9, and thereby stops the machine, as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The machine will then remain at rest until another bottle is placed within the gripping-levers 130 131 and the push-rod 25 thrust inward, when the whole operation above described will be repeated.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is

1. In a bottle-wiring machine, wherein the driving-pulley is connected to the drivingshaft, by a spring-actuated sliding key engaging With a recess in the boss of the pulley, means for automatically withdrawing the said key when a bottle has been tied consisting of a wedge on aleveractuated byacam through suitable connections, said cam forcing the Wedge against a spring into engagement with the key, in combination with a latch temporarily retaining the said wedge-shaped lever in engagement with the key, said latch being adapted to be withdrawn by a push-rod so as to release the lever and start the machine substantially as described.

2. In a bottle-wiring machine, means for lifting the bottle consisting of a support automatically adjustable to bottles of considerably-varying length comprising a pan or table, carried upon the end of a rack-bar sliding vertically in guides in the lifting-bracket, the said pan being brought against the bottom of a bottle suspended above it during the first part of the stroke of the lifting-bracket by friction, allowing it to adjust itself to the length of the bottle and afterward being definitely raised with the lifting-bracket by means of a pawl engaging the rack, either directly or through suitable gearing, when actuated by a cam-plate substantially as described.

3. In a bottle-wiring machine means for allowing a self-adjustment between the bottlesupport and bottle-lifting bracket consisting of a rack-bar gearing with a pinion which is prevented from rotating by friction during the greater part of the upward stroke of the lifting-bracket but is locked by a pawl engaging with a ratchet-Wheel toward the end of the. stroke substantially as hereinbefore described.

4. In a bottle-wiring machine the combination with the bottle-lifting bracket of a bottle holder or support carried upon the upper end of a piston-rod or plunger traveling in a cylinder containing oil or other liquid and connected to a reservoir or jacket said cylinder communicating with the reservoir by passages controlled by a valve operated as required by a lever engaging with a cam-plate IIC 

